Junto Nakatani faces Alexandro Santiago aiming for his third belt and a shot at making history

Expert boxer-puncher Junto Nakatani will bid to turn into a three-weight world champion when he challenges WBC bantamweight titlist Alexandro Santiago on the Ryogoku Kokugikan, Tokyo, on Saturday.

The 26-year-old Japanese southpaw, who enters this combat rated at No. 3 by as The Ring at junior bantamweight, felt transferring up in weight was the pure development for his profession.

“I must admit that my weight difficulty was the decisive consider transferring up a weight class,” Nakatani (26-0, 19 knockouts) informed The Ring by means of Hank Hakoda. “I knew I might have stayed at junior bantamweight a bit longer, however once I really moved up a weight class, I felt my physique getting larger and larger.

“I don’t really feel any change myself, however a few of those that come round to the fitness center eagerly commented that I field quicker and sharper. I see these goal observations in a optimistic gentle and can attempt to showcase extra of my capability within the combat. To be a bit extra exact, I do care about ‘instantaneous’ pace, which I’ve educated with a specific emphasis on, and I believe it’s simpler to exhibit this in my new division. With these in thoughts, I’m extra decided to construct a stable bantamweight physique, all the time with larger expectations of myself.”

Nakatani had taken a warm-up combat when he moved from flyweight to junior bantamweight however determined towards that this time towards regardless of going through a formidable titleholder.

“I knew I might adapt to bantamweight each time I moved up and I knew I undoubtedly had that potential,” he defined. “I’m not anxious about going straight to preventing a championship with none tune-up bouts. I’m as an alternative centered on getting in form for this weight class. Since I’ve by no means had the expertise of difficult a champion in my profession, it’s straightforward to get pumped up for the combat to perform one thing fully new.

“Santiago is no doubt a powerful champion, however I’m wanting to drastically surpass expectations of the curious followers, with a formidable displaying towards him, who surprise how really my combat towards him will play out. I additionally sit up for the problem with excessive hopes for myself.

“He reveals specific power when preventing at his personal distance and applies a fierce attacking fashion. He’s a small fighter with a excessive work price. He tirelessly makes intense in-out strikes.

“Within the [Nonito] Donaire combat [when Santiago won the vacant WBC title], Santiago was preventing on the snug distance for him. He throws a number of punches freely when he will get to his personal distance, so I’ve to be ready to take care of that. I all the time practice with the sturdy picture that he is not going to let me hit him simply in my thoughts. I believe he has the pace to return in at a second’s discover, alternatively, when he feels that he’s in vary, he employs a stable overhand proper. I’ve to take into account that I’ve to remain centered in such conditions. I’m ready for something.

Junto Nakatani acquired the KO of the 12 months award from The Ring in 2023 -Picture by Yuriko Miyata

“I’m a tall southpaw, so I principally maintain my positional benefit on the surface firmly and punctiliously, and even when he responds to that attempting arduous to shut the hole, I’m rapidly going to reply much more to him. On account of his action-packed preventing fashion, his flaws must be naturally uncovered and visual to me in spots because the combat goes by. I’m completely able to overpower no matter he brings to the desk.”

In preparation, Nakatani, as standard decamped to Los Angeles to work below the watchful eye of long-time coach Rudy Hernandez. Throughout that point Nakatani estimates he sparred round 100-rounds towards a Cuban boxer in addition to a number of Mexican fighters earlier than returning dwelling.

“I dedicate myself to endure all of the rigorous self-discipline each inside and out of doors the ring, grinding my flesh and bone on the sacrifice of my life,” stated Nakatani.

“I’m going into this massive match with a powerful deal with the method. I deal with gaining one thing significant by means of the method. I consider that when the method is finished proper, the specified outcomes will naturally observe. Briefly, my perception is ‘arduous work pays off.’”

Nakatani has the added motivation to see his identify seem alongside a number of Japanese greats together with Preventing Harada, Joichiro Tatsuyoshi, Hozumi Hasegawa, Shinsuke Yamanaka and Naoya Inoue within the report books.

“I’ve a particular fondness for the WBC bantamweight belt,” he stated. “It’s extensively recognized amongst Japanese boxing followers due to its lengthy historical past of being held by the enduring Japanese fighters who captivated worldwide audiences, together with myself as a fan. I’m captivated with wrapping my first inexperienced belt firmly round my waist and additionally it is a fantastic motivation for me. I need to honor the legacy constructed by our nice predecessors by taking on the venerable inexperienced belt myself.”

Whereas he has a lot work to do at bantamweight he’s edging nearer to a different of his objectives up at junior featherweight.

“My first grasp the late Kozo Ishii fought as a world contender, my reminiscences of once I began boxing in his fitness center in my early teenagers come flooding again,” he defined. “He all the time believed in me, ‘You’re alleged to be a world champion,’ which nonetheless serves as a supply of encouragement and inspiration for me immediately.

“I’m nonetheless grateful for his fixed perception in me, and it could be an honor to getting nearer to my first grasp Kozo’s footsteps and I hope to make him proud.”

At 122-pounds his countryman and boxing celebrity Naoya Inoue reigns supreme as The Ring and undisputed junior featherweight champion.

It’s a combat that may very well be made, although Nakatani nonetheless has lots accomplish at bantamweight.

“I haven’t significantly taken him as my quick opponent for the foreseeable future,” he stated. “Relating to the comparability between Naoya Inoue and myself, a subject that’s usually debated lately, I’m impressed by him as a high Japanese fighter who has drastically elevated the presence of Japanese fighters on this planet. I haven’t thought an excessive amount of a few showdown with him but, however after all I believe I ought to intention for it. So long as there’s a risk of it taking place, I’d contemplate it. I wish to proceed to provide convincing outcomes one after the other to extend my worth and cleared the path for such a future to return.

“I do know that the media and followers get pleasure from calling me ‘the Subsequent Monster’ or one thing like that. I don’t actually thoughts it, however as an alternative, it’s simply my honor being in comparison with such an iconic fighter as Naoya, and really it’s type of a catchy nickname. I don’t know what Mr. Inoue feels about it although (laughs). I nonetheless must get some extra good outcomes to totally deserve that. I’d be pleased if I can provide followers even a small hope for the long run attainable massive combat. To get to that massive stage, I hope I can maintain displaying good performances to make individuals need to see increasingly of my boxing.”

Nevertheless, there’s a number of work to be executed initially at bantamweight, beginning with Santiago.

“I’m alleged to turn into the world champ on this my new division for positive,” he stated. “I’ll intention for a KO victory, and I’ll take a number of relentless motion to make it occur. On the identical time, I’m nicely conscious that he’s a formidable stalwart champion, so I’ll attempt to apply and develop a boxing fashion that may take a look at his mettle to interrupt his spirits and confidence. I’m thrilled that preventing one of many real-deal fighters in bantamweight serves to be a chance to hone my expertise.

“I’d then like to begin desirous about unification bouts. I believe I can keep in bantamweight for comparatively a very long time, so I’m hopefully going to combat massive fights as everybody expects me to have.

“I’m positive that each one of them are moderately good champions, so I’m very decided. I believe that having an surroundings the place I can combat towards sturdy opponents like it is a likelihood for me to develop much more.”

Hernandez, who has labored with Nakatani because the fighter was a young person, welcomes the brand new problem and feels his cost is peaking on the proper time.

“Not at all can we really feel that is a simple combat,” stated the coach. “I believe it’s sophisticated however we’re coaching to carry one of the best Junto to this combat. He’s sharp and stronger as a result of weight reduction received’t be as vital. Sparring is vital for preventing day. I take advantage of outdated methods higher than new boxing. I practice fighters, not human beings.”

Santiago (28-3-5, 14 KOs), rated at No. 3 by The Ring at bantamweight, has overcome a few early setbacks to determine himself as a stable skilled. The 28-year-old Mexican is already a 10-year veteran. In his first world title try he gave then-IBF 115-pound titlist Jerwin Ancajas (D 12) all he might deal with.

He misplaced an in depth combat to Gary Antonio Russell (SD 10) in late 2021 and had rebounded with three wins to earn a shot on the vacant WBC title towards the legendary Nonito Donaire. In that combat he confirmed a superb chin early to return on late and declare a 12-round unanimous resolution to elevate the title.

Santiago-Nakatani, plus undercard bouts, will likely be broadcast on ESPN+ at 5:00 a.m. ET/ 2:00 p.m. PT

Our correspondent Hank Hakoda coordinated and translated this function.

Questions and/or feedback will be despatched to Anson at [email protected].

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